Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

Yes, decades. National strikes do not happen for the sake of it. The reason people are marching is they believe this scheme is unfair and that the Government has not taken control of the situation. Instead, it is progressing by fits and starts. Is it fair that a public servant earning €18,300 a year, the minimum wage, will pay a levy of 3.5% of his or her income while someone on €100,000 will pay 4.64% net? This is not a question of the public sector versus the private sector. It is about people paying their fair share and getting a return.

I mean no disrespect but the President should pay the levy. Why should the Judiciary be exempt from it? The levy is fundamentally unfair on those on modest incomes. The Government is using it as a source of revenue collection, not for pension provisions. From a control viewpoint, this should be brought forward as an emergency measure to bring the public finances under control rather than being seen as a long-term revenue stream in respect of which the Government would increase the rates every few years.

Amendments Nos. 1 and 47 are reasonable in seeking a sunset clause. It is important for public servants to know that control mechanisms are in place to get the public finances under control. The country is in an unparalleled situation regarding the public finances. What is needed is control to be shown at all levels, including the levy. However, the scheme is unbalanced, unfair and should only be seen as a short-term measure.

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